DEFINITION October 2018

SHOOT STORY | DR I VE - I N MUS I C

MIXING CARS & MUSIC STARS Gun Hill Studios, set amongst the rolling hills of East Sussex, has been custom designed from the ground up to offer a mouthwatering selection of facilities for both car and commercial specialists

WORDS TERRY HOPE / PICTURES GUN H I LL STUDIOS

I f you’ve worn yourself out on a mission to find a shooting space that offers the facilities you need, sometimes the only solution is to create something from scratch yourself. That was the conundrum facing photographer and filmmaker Rupert Cobb, as he struggled to locate a studio within striking distance of home that had the space and height for cars to drive in and be lit in the way he wanted. Eventually Rupert gave up his lonely search and set about finding a location where he could create a space that ideally suited his situation. The result is Gun Hill Studios in East Sussex, designed around

demanding lenses, along with 24K of DMX-controlled motorised downlight augmented with an extensive selection of Arri Lights. Although many other light sources are available we are still big fans of tungsten light and the rich colour spectrum it brings, and it does, of course, mean that the studio is equally able for both photographic and filming projects.” Naturally a space such as this encourages car manufacturers, dealers and owners to book filming and photographic sessions with Rupert and his team, and there have regularly been the likes of Ferraris, McLarens, Rolls Royces and

a wish list that would put right all of the shortcomings that had been experienced in other venues. “We wanted a place that was big enough to accommodate all of the jobs we were likely to take on,” says Rupert. “There had to be the facility for cars to be driven in, of course, and then we put in a massive infinity cove that’s 10mx10mx5m, with an adjacent blackout studio space that’s the same floor size. Both spaces feature a turntable, so the cars can be moved around and filmed while turning if required. “We also ensured there was enough space behind the set for the most

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